Crown Park Improvements Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for June 14

Camas, WA — The City of Camas is inviting the public to the Crown Park Improvement Project groundbreaking ceremony on June 14, 2024, at 1:30 pm. Light refreshments will be served, and staff will be available to share information on the project.

Crown Park, considered by many as the “Crown Jewel” of the city’s entire parks system, hosts many of the City’s special events, such as the annual Camas Egg Scramble, summer Concerts and Movies In The Park, and the Camtown Youth Festival. But at the core, this is a family gathering spot for birthdays, reunions, picnics, and play for all. Crown Park was donated to the citizens of Camas, WA in 1934 by Crown Willamette Paper Company.

At 90 years-old, this park is ready for a rejuvenation, say supporters of the improvement project, which will cost $6.3 million. This project is partially funded thanks to a generous $500,000 grant award from the State of Washington’s Recreation and Conservation Office and a $2,500 grant from the Parks Foundation of Clark County.to provide new amenities and repair the aging infrastructure, such as improving ADA accessibility and adding bathrooms.

The 2018 Crown Park Master Plan (Master Plan) serves as a vision of the park for the next generation of users and is used as a framework to guide future funding decisions. Over a 13-month design process, Crown Park Public Advisory Committee, Technical Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) and the general public were engaged to provide feedback and direction. On Oct. 24, 2018, the Commission reviewed and recommended the final Master Plan report to City Council for approval. On Nov. 5, 2018, Council adopted the 2018 Crown Park Master Plan(External link) (Master Plan).

Crown Park has a magnificent grove of mature trees consisting of approximately 75 year-old Douglas Firs, Western Red Cedars, Redwoods, Gian Sequoias, Zelkovas, Blue Spruces and a variety of Maples. The Master Plan was designed with an eye toward protecting the trees and highlighting our tree assets.

The Crown Park Master Plan consists of the following:

Inclusive playground
Interactive water feature
Permanent restrooms
Outdoor amphitheater
Sports court
Flexible open lawn
New ADA accessible pathways
Access improvements to Scout Hall
New site furnishings
Upgraded irrigation system
Stormwater management gardens and updated plantings

In addition, the Camas Parks Foundation will also be fundraising through an “Adopt A Bench” program at Crown Park. There are 18 benches available for adoption, visit: https://www.camasparksfoundation.org/adopt-a-bench.

While the park is under construction, the City has partnered with the Camas School District to host summer special events at either Dorothy Fox Park or Dorothy Fox Elementary School. Please visit https://www.cityofcamas.us/parksrec/ and click on “Special Events” for more information.

Event details can be found at https://engagecamas.com/crown-park-improvements-30-design-process